Trusting your instincts...

Am living my dream of being a geologist
- Tamara Faith Kamanga

Fascinated by her secondary school Geography teacher's explanation of an obsidian rock  to be a volcanic glass. Tamara Faith Kamanga was keen to understand the formation and mineral composition of this rock. Knowing the secret of knowledge can be sealed in books, Tamara started familiarizing herself with a number of geology literature. From Mary mount secondary school Tamara went through Mzuzu University as a Bachelor of education student before withdrawing for her dream career to the University of Malawi, Chancellor College where she was enrolled for a Bachelors degree in Geology with a double major in demography.

Geology was not so popular then as it may be today, and there was little that Tamara knew about Geology.She only related it to minerals and rocks.As she kept on with her studies, she discovered that there is more to geology than just studying rocks or minerals. She came to realize that she could map geology to policies.Soon after graduating in 2012, Tamara found herself at Malawi's ministry of Natural Resources,energy and mining working under the geology survey department as a geologist.

Despite being employed at the Geology survey department, her decision to work with the ministry was not supported by many. Everybody thought Tamara would do better as a demographer somewhere or perhaps as a Monitoring and Evaluation Officer with some NGO. It just never sounded so feminine for her to work in such a department, argued those advising her.

"Being an M & E officer is not all I wanted and It took faith and prayer, sticking  to my instincts and following my dream of becoming a geologist and defiling all odds."

Many are the times, we tell our girls in Malawi that choosing a career goes with one's gender position,and most of the secondary school girls might be dropping their dreams as they do not see their dream careers fitting their gender position and often get less support in terms of encouragement.  Tamara was one of those girls discouraged of her dream career, but she stuck to her interest , worked on it and got it. Every in secondary school have dreams and indeed some of their dreams are at the peak of fading with many voices discouraging and blinding the visionary girls. No matter what voices may be there to fade these dreams,it is necessary for girls in secondary and primary schools to stick to their dreams, work towards it and live it just as Tamara did.

In Malawi, mining was set out as one of the priorities in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS 2011- 2016) signifying the role the sector has and plays in the sustainable development of the country. Currently, Malawi government is undertaking a countrywide airborne geophysical survey under the Mining Governance Growth and Support Project, which upon completion will reveal the true potential of minerals in Malawi. Today Tamara is a proud part of this project as a geologist that has exposed her to many opportunities including earning trust to represent Malawi at different fora in Africa, Asia and beyond on issues relating to mining.

"Yes  as girls we have been told to dream and dream big , but Its vital to make your dream a reality .and it takes courage!" say Tamara who adds on to say " Courage is the vehicle taking you to your dream and faith in God is the fuel.  If you don’t have courage, you will never want it bad enough to plan. If you don’t have courage, you will never plan it well enough to do it, if you don’t have courage you will never fulfill your dreams. If you don’t fulfill your dreams, you may not have the courage to dream again.  And most importantly, if you don’t have faith, you will not dream or go anywhere.  I dreamt, I planned and I have the courage to move ahead. " Who is still dreaming again and again as she keep aiming higher and higher.

Tamara who is intrinsically interested and committed to promoting girls into geology as a career as well as other challenging careers as perceived by society. She grew up seeing family members playing the role model role to her but she does realize that not so many young girls are privileged like herself to have so many role models in their homes or communities and she decided to be one. She therefore started visiting secondary schools across Malawi, with other like minded young Malawian men and women over career talks. her message to the youth and society at large is that quality education requires a multifaceted and multi layered approach at family, community and national levels and that everyone has a part to play believing in the power of unity Tamara says "Together we can, and it begins with you and me."

NB: This profile is shared for motivational purposes, feel free to use it to motivate young women and girls who you know are still not aware of their potential. If you are looking for mentorship or need more details please contact the blog owner (alibewawo@gmail.com). Young women achievers are also welcome to share their profiles and achievement : Are you one or do you know a young woman whose achievements and story will motivate and encourage girls to stay in school? send me an email and the story will be featured here.

#Girlsmustayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

 Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

Visit :  www.amaruphotos.com

A blossomed seed of hope...

I never doubted I would do well...
Estiner Walusungu Katengeza

She might be known as the “zilibwino fame” (It is perfect) or perharps you know her as the “Sindikusiyani icon” ( I will not leave you). Much as all this is true of Estiner Walusungu Katengeza, there is more to her than just the angelic voice we hear and the irresistible music we fall in love with. Estiner is known not just as a musician but also a medical physicist and environmentalist and to some she is known simply as a lecturer.

Estiner is one of the young women in Malawi who is well known to many gospel music lovers. She has embraced her talent and has impacted many lives. For Estiner, talent was not enough to dwell on. She raced on combining education and talent in order to amount to something. The journey to her fame and accomplishments was never smooth as she had to climb some hills and cross some valleys before she could land on the plains and sow high. She grew up with her mother and father apart. As a child of school age, she was enrolled in primary school. By then she was living with her mother in the Northen region and kept rotating from one school to another of which Mzuzu demonstration and Mkombezi primary school in Rumphi are amongst them. In the late years of her primary education she had to move to Blantyre with her mother and she ended up being at Chilomoni Primary school where she sat for her national primary school exam as an external candidate. Even though this was challenging, Estiner made it to Zingwangwa secondary school in 2000.

She continued to live with her mother as a secondary school student until two years later when her mother’s financial challenges paved way for Estiner to join her father. Even though this presented a stable financial support for Estiner, it was of personal discomfort as her thoughts were on her mother’s well-being considering the struggles she was facing and life was just not the same basing on the fact that she was used and loved to live with her mother. However, she found comfort and relief in the letters her mother could send to her. They were letters of hope. “ No matter how bad things could be, mama always made it look okay and she made the future look so bright,” says Estiner as she look back to the seed of hope that has blossomed today. There were times Estiner struggled in school, as well as at her new home but one thing she believed in were the messages in her mother’s letters that pointed to the light towards the end of the tunnel.

“I knew that my future would be bright just because mama told me so, I never doubted a second that I would do well and i kept working hard…” emphasized Estiner.

With such a drive, at the end of four years of secondary school, Estiner made it to University of Malawi the Polytechnic to study Environmental Science and Technology where she opted to major in Physics despite people’s objections, referring it as the hardest subject. Amazingly the zilibwino fame graduated with a credit despite all odds.

Recalling her childhood dream, being a medical doctor is something she could talk about even though she had no idea of what that meant. This may be common with many of the girls in secondary schools today. You may not necessarily want to be a doctor but probably are dreaming of careers that you have no idea what it means simply because everybody is talking about it. Do not worry about it, just keep working hard at the stage you are.  Little Estiner was a champion in sciences,worked hard at every stage and as she grew to be a third year Poly Student, she got convinced science is a part of her and teaching Physics at a university would make her happy. She then worked hard to be a physics lecturer. She ended up being a part time lecturer at the Polytechnic after her graduation and later joined College of medicine as a lecturer as well before getting back to the Polytechnic as a full time lecturer.

Estiner holds a master of science in Medical Physics, A field quiet new and unpopular in Malawi. Looking at her career prospects, one would think Estiner is a risk taker to be bold enough pursuing a career that has no known employment prospects clear at home. To Estiner, the challenge she took on her career choice means a lot and she can foresee professional growth opportunities. She believes this is the risks and choices our secondary school girls need to follow suit. They should view their career choices like a market. Whereby when considering market, rare and exceptional products are always battled for and girls in secondary schools need to be so good and skilled in preparation for careers of their choice. Never allowing other voices telling them the career path they are choosing is not marketable and girlish or difficult. There is neither marketable nor girlish careers and no career is difficult if you have your heart on it. "Markets will always be there and with a perfect skill, buyers will battle to have you in your rare and scarce career." added Estiner.

Estiner do shine today in her career and talent through the music industry owing it all to God and her mother who instilled confidence in her steps up. She therefore encourages parents to give beyond financial resource support to their children’s education. Emphasizing that children need mental, spiritual and guidance to amount to something and they need to be told the future is bright in a way that they will see it.

“My mother planted a seed of hope in me making me believe I CAN! every parent can do the same and every child CAN!.” Says Estiner as she reflects and quotes Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:10

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me." I am what I am by the grace of God and yet I will not just leave it all to grace but I work and will continue to work hard through that very same grace and I pray all of HIS people will do the same.”

NB: This profile is shared for motivational purposes, feel free to use it to motivate young women and girls who you know are still not aware of their potential. If you are looking for mentorship or need more details please contact the blog owner (alibewawo@gmail.com). Young women achievers are also welcome to share their profiles and achievement : Are you one or do you know a young woman whose achievements and story will motivate and encourage girls to stay in school? send me an email and the story will be featured here.

#Girlsmustayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

 Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

Visit :  www.amaruphotos.com

A road through the "Odd one out syndrome..."

  

I worked Extra hard to make something
of myself- Wezi Thandiwe Sataya

We all have dreams and wishes that we long to fulfil someday. Some wish they would get a name through impact, some desire to just be like any other dreamer, silent yet impacting in their deeds. While not all of us get the platform to be what we wish for, we at least, all have what it takes to make a difference in one way or the other. Born last in a family of three is 26 year old Wezi Thandiwe Sataya who grew up to be different from her siblings in many ways. Wezi happened to be born last in a family of three, one boy and two girls and she was focused from birth.

Born to parents who knew very well the value of education was the greatest gifts to have ever happened to Wezi. She had all the chances to earn education not only because it is a right but because her parents attached meaning to it. At a tender age, she was introduced to primary education at Southend Primary School in Blantyre. She was just a young primary pupil who never noticed nor took much interest to notice anything within her, a thing that is common in almost every primary school pupil in Malawi. From Southend Primary school, Wezi went to continue her studies at Kamuzu Academy Secondary school where all her elder siblings attended their secondary education as well. It was not that easy for Wezi knowing quiet well how clever her siblings were and at the same time getting to discover of some things she never noted about self in primary school and throughout her childhood. It was up until this time that she started understanding herself. She started noticing things within herself that were different from her elder siblings. She got to notice that she was not as sharp and clever as her siblings were and this bothered her to some extent. She convinced herself to be the odd one out of the three. This conviction challenged her, it got embedded to her heart, she wanted to beat “being the odd one” syndrome. She wanted to be as good as her siblings and there was no any other best way to do it except to work extra hard. The going got tough and she decided to get tougher. Like Wezi some students in various primary and secondary schools in Malawi are also at a stake of self-discovery. Some are convinced to be as smart and sharp as the two elder siblings of Wezi but there are some who are convinced to be as Wezi herself. “I am not as good as my classmates, my sisters, brothers or my best friend.” They ruminate.  Whatever it is that makes you to categorise yourself as the odd one out, does it give you a reason enough to challenge yourself? Does it motivate you to get tough with the going?

Well, as for Wezi she faced the challenge, kept working extra hard and made it for tertiary education. From Kamuzu Academy she joined Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa for a bachelor of Law program. Throughout her tertiary education, she never really knew what she exactly wanted after her studies but one thing she was positive about was not to go into practice. Wanting to make something of herself, she worked extra harder and graduated a cum laude as well as the best international student of the year. Remember this was the girl who felt to be not as good as her siblings or perhaps everybody else and it took just an extra hard work to turn the odd one out into the best international student of the year for Nelson Mandera Metropolitan University who later joined the University as a student assistant, helping in marking and tutoring.

In 2011, Wezi joined The Malawi Catholic University as a lecturer in law. She contributed in the faculty set up and is currently serving as the Acting Dean of the Faculty. In 2012, she sat for the BAR examinations and got admitted to the BAR in February 2014.giving her option to practice law. This did not just advance her career but also expanded her job horizon. It gave her the opportunity to work on a part time basis at Knight and Knight Law firm.

 To all girls in secondary and primary schools, “You can be the odd one out and turn your not good enough outlook to the best there can be with just one thing and that’s an extra hard work to your studies,” says the young Wezi who is not only serving in her profession but also her passion for music, under the Music Ministry of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement of Blantyre Archdiocese where she serve as the secretary.

NB : This profile is shared for motivational purposes, feel free to use it to motivate young women and girls who you know are still not aware of their potential. If you are looking for mentorship or need more details please contact the blog owner (alibewawo@gmail.com). young women achievers are also welcome to share their profiles and achievements:Are you one or do you know a young woman whose achievements and story will motivate and encourage girls to stay in school? send me an email and the story will be featured here.

#Girlsmustayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

 Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

Visit :  www.amaruphotos.com

Disability is power

Disability was just a word,today,it is power;
Scader Louis

At the age of 13, she was already an entrepreneur; she was already an expert on family budgets and expenditures, she was good with money. Business was a surviving strategy. She could be seen around the township of Mangochi carrying “kanyenya” (Fried flour coated Fish). The death of her father led young Scader Louis and her mother into this business as a way of survival. Scader was then a school girl helping her mother with business, she was at St Augustine primary school in Mangochi. There was nothing amazing for her like being raised in the beautiful lakeshore area. After completing her primary school, Scader joined St Monica Girls’ Secondary school. She was a hard worker and carried a dream of being a banker someday. She had seen some bankers who really knew how to dress up and that fascinated Scader to an extent of wishing to be one.

In 1999, Scader was faced with a painful blow that almost shattered her dreams completely. She lost her mother and that brought hiccups on her education as well as her siblings’. She thought that would mean an end to her education and that she will never be a banker as she wished. Graciously, Sisters of Divine Providence gave her hope to hold on to her dream of being a banker; they supported Scader’s education by funding her secondary tuition. Years passed by and it was 2001, Scader completed secondary education, her results were just perfect and she could sense a walk into the university corridors for a course leading to her Banker dream.2002 she sat for the Malawi University Entrance Examination, unfortunately, she was left out. She could not do otherwise except securing a job with her MSCE as she now was the mother and father of the family. All her siblings depended on her for support and she had to finance her own education with a private institution as she still had a heart for her dream.

1^st June 2002, World Vision International opened up an opportunity for Scader to work as a customer service Facilitator. She was posted to Ching’anda in Makanjira, a field office which was about 150 km from Mangochi Boma (Main town). Scader saw an opportunity in the newly relocated place. The distance from her office to the main town ignited a strong desire to further her studies as she believed a better and advanced education would land her to a better job in town. She then started some savings out of her salary and planned to enroll for an accounting Diploma course with the Malawi College of Accountancy. Before she could enroll for a diploma in Accountancy, she was presented with a chance to study a Bachelor degree in Education as a parallel program student at the University of Malawi, Chancellor College. Even though pursuing a Bachelor’s degree would have meant a lot for Scader, it was just impossible to do so. It was just an opportunity that Scader watched slipping off her hands. There was nothing she could do about it. It was a great opportunity but she never was prepared to take it as it could have costed her almost everything including her job, the only lifeline for her and the siblings. She let this opportunity pass in 2003. The following year, Scader enrolled for a weekend class diploma in accounting at Malawi College of Accountancy in Blantyre. This meant travelling over 300km every weekend from Ching’anda and she had to cross Lake Malawi on a boat and connect through Chipoka- Salima to attend classes in Blantyre. One can tell how hard this was but Scader carried on. If you wonder what was fueling her strength, Scader would say “I had a big dream and I was determined to achieve.”

A dramatic change happened for Scader on 25^th April 2004, it was a lifetime change. Change that did not just affect her dreams but also her physical prestige. On this day, Scader was on her way back home from school. She boarded a minibus to Makanjira via Salima, as the minibus approached Lirangwe Trading centre, the front tyre burst and it lost control. Scader had been involved in a road traffic accident, she had broken her spine,.she could no longer stand on her two feet, she became wheelchair binded. what would this mean to Scader? Will she ever achieve her dream? What about her siblings? Her job? And everything she cared about. Scader lost all the beauty in herself within a blink of an eye. There was no more hope for the most beautiful and ambitious Scader. All her dreams were shattered. It all became worse as she went through the agony of not being informed of what had happened and whether she could be able to walk again.

“ I cried till there was no tear left, slept till I couldn’t sleep no more, I thought of ending it all but I saw how helpless I was, I needed help from someone even  to take my own life… For days my life was hell and I kept asking God numerous questions regarding my situation and why he allowed it. Unfortunately there was just no answer available.” -Explained  Scader.

Time passed and Scader is now convinced she is disabled, acceptance did not come so quick and easily. January 2005 was a time that God helped Scader accept it all and regained hope to face life again, to dream again and to pursue again. She was ready to do it again. She enrolled for a Diploma in accounting again at PACT college in the same year. She beared courage and a strong determination to take this chance and change her life story. The process of change was not easy, college experience as a disabled student was painful and discouraging. It took time for the college management to make adjustments for her access to some lessons. She needed to be lifted to get into class. A thing she would have never wished for. Little did she know that her disability was a way of instilling hope in other disabled persons. The following semester Scader was so happy to see three other disabled students joining the college. It was motivating and encouraging for Scader. Each passing day she could see God granting her more strength and in June 2006, she completed her Diploma course. July 2006 she started her professional level and in December 2010, she was already a qualified Chartered Accountant.

 Many people, especially girls consider accounting to be difficult as they relate it to mathematics. As for scader, prayer and determination makes one capable of being anything in life regardless of their gender status. “A woman with a disability faces double discrimination based on gender and the fact that she is disabled, but everything is possible and I have conquered it all. I am a Finance Manager in one of the biggest nongovernmental organizations in the world in terms of budget size and workforce and it is no mean achievement to be at that level. Forever, I am grateful to God for His love upon my life.” One would never deny the fact that Scader Louis is not just an accountant, but indeed a woman achiever who is also a peer group trainer and Co- Founder of the Spinal injuries Association of Malawi where she does work with fellow spinal cord injured persons to revive their confidence and determination to becoming productive citizens after spinal cord injuries.

NB : This profile is shared for motivational purposes, feel free to use it to motivate young women and girls who you know are still not aware of their potential. If you are looking for mentorship or need more details please contact the blog owner (alibewawo@gmail.com). young women achievers are also welcome to share their profiles and achievements:Are you one or do you know a young woman whose achievements and story will motivate and encourage girls to stay in school? send me an email and the story will be featured here.

#Girlsmustayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

 Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

Visit :  www.amaruphotos.com

The first role models...

I find satisfaction in teaching-Tapiwa

It’s October, a number of global and local commemorations has taken place focusing on girls and women. As Malawi we have celebrated the International Day of the girl child, International day of rural women, International world food day with family farming as a theme and locally mother’s day just to mention a few. On top of all the commemorations, October also happens to be a month when the Malawi National Examination Board released the names and results of those who sat for Malawi school certificate Examination (MSCE).Even though Malawi as a nation has a lot of worries on the deteriorating quality of education and the recent released Examination results, we have seen many smiles from successful candidates, we have noted families celebrating their daughters, sons, sisters and brothers who have made it. Many have already started taking the initiatives to encourage the successful candidates to pursue their dreams and achieve great. Having a reason to celebrate, one would not forget to celebrate people like Tapiwa Nsanja, who is among the few qualified teachers striving for quality education for all Malawians.

If you studied in Malawi from standard one, you will definitely agree that teachers are the first role models one will know, more especially if you have never met or seen any other professional in your life. Despite teachers being the first role models to almost every kid, it is almost none of the kids who grow up inspiring to be one. For Tapiwa, her story turns to be different. As a 2002 successful MSCE candidate, young and visionary Tapiwa looked forward to a career in science. 2003 was a year bringing her dream career into existence as Tapiwa was admitted into the University of Malawi to study a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology and Statistics at the Chancellor College in Zomba.

Through her first year of studies, Tapiwa held dreams of being a medical doctor as she felt that was the only way of making science count .As her education journey continued to get deeper, her passion for science kept widening, her medical aspirations began to sink and teaching became her heart’s desire. With every lecture and practical experience came a picture of herself as a teacher. She imagined how she would contribute in imparting knowledge to boys and girls as a teacher. She then found her way into Teaching in 2009. Today, Tapiwa is still that passionate teacher she imagined herself to be. She is currently shaping young girls and boys at Bwaila secondary school with skills and knowledge in science.

“Despite being involved in a number of research projects, I still find satisfaction in teaching. I always look back and value my teachers for making me who I am today. How I wish every young girl and boy would see teaching through my eyes, then we would never see girls dropping out of school, we would never lack trained and qualified teachers who would make Malawian education the best and we would never get disappointing MSCE pass-rates. ” says Tapiwa, a mother of two ,Ellad and Elijah who is also a wife to Lamulo Nsanja. “I always plan carefully, I love my students and I recognise the importance of teacher student relationship in education.” She added.

I Plan carefully-Tapiwa and her students

Facing challenges such as inadequate instruction time, inadequate and poor teaching and learning resources as well as students absence due to various reasons which among others include health problems has not been enough to stop Tapiwa from being her best, some challenges has been a motivation to extending her passion. Tapiwa who is also a Girl Guides leader and a member of the Professional Women’s committee, believes that a health student is as productive as a health teacher. She therefore mobilised a group of likeminded friends under the label “helping hands for healthy Children.” Where she takes her passion beyond the classroom to Kamuzu Central Hospital’s Malnutrition centre to support children affected with Malnutrition with a vision of having health children in schools. Tapiwa has been more than a teacher; she has been an agent of change. With all her initiatives and dedication, am sure we would get a reason to celebrate such women teachers like her as we celebrate the success of our successful MSCE candidates and look forward to a high quality education in Malawi.

NB : This profile is shared for motivational purposes, feel free to use it to motivate young women and girls who you know are still not aware of their potential. If you are looking for mentorship or need more details please contact the blog owner (alibewawo@gmail.com). young women achievers are also welcome to share their profiles and achievements:Are you one or do you know a young woman whose achievements and story will motivate and encourage girls to stay in school? send me an email and the story will be featured here.

#Girlsmustayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

 Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

Visit :  www.amaruphotos.com

.

Education,her tool...

She was one of the happiest children in standard five, she knew the joys and passion that flow from the sibling fountain. She was spoiled with bundles of support in all aspects from her parents, three brothers and two sisters as the last born. Little did she know that at age nine death would rob her a father. As if that was not enough, seven months later death was in to grab her mother as well. It was this time that Aggie Gogo Wizi was challenged to be separated from her brothers and sisters for a new home. It was her Uncle's home in Blantyre , Malawi. Despite all the changes that came with Aggie's loss, her uncle made the best guardian and cared the most about her education.

Aggie-My uncle supported my education

As a young girl in a government primary school, Aggie admired going to a boarding school for her secondary education.She worked hard in primary and ended up with frustrations as Njamba secondary school, a half day secondary school in Blantyre became her destined secondary school.She had no choice, she started her secondary education at Njamba.Four years past. It was time to say goodbye to Njamba secondary school. she came up as Njamba's second best student of the year 2004 in the National secondary school exams .Her achievement became a licence authorizing her to compete for a University seat with a pool of other  achievers in the country. Brilliant Aggie made it to University of Malawi.It was a time for her happiness to blossom, unfortunately it didnt, she became more and more Frustrated, all because she was admitted to study a Bachelor of education at Chancellor College. A program she never imagined herself in.She hated every thought of being a teacher, she could picture herself as one poor secondary school teacher after graduating. With every lecture taken at Chancellor College came memories of the terrible nicknames given to her secondary school teachers.Aggie thought she could get her way out of being a poor teacher in years to come. To her, teaching was the worst profession one could only enter at their wits end. She then decided to work extra harder in her first year with the hope of making it into the law school.Sadly, she didn't make it into a law school and you can tell what a disappointment it was.

She then was left with no choice but to keep pursuing her studies in education.Years past,it was 2010 already,she is out of college as a graduate teacher with a major in English. Her posting fell under Njamba, her former secondary school, In no time teaching became a part of her,she developed passion towards teaching as a profession.She was the youngest teacher at Njamba. As a former student at the school, she became a role model to all students in the school. The clock kept ticking,bringing along opportunities for her to grow professionally.It was 2011, a door opened for Aggie to be an assistant lecturer in English and Communication Studies at Catholic University of Malawi. What a challenge it was for 23 year old Aggie to stand in front of students who some looked older than herself physically.Well, she left all fears aside.told herself it was an opportunity to express the richest excellencies that God endowed her. After a year of teaching at Catholic University, she secured a fully-funded scholarship to do her Master Studies in Social Work Studies at UK’s Durham University in 2012. This was just Aggie's perfect study program matching her passion towards uplifting the lives of people, especially those trapped in the pangs of acute poverty and social injustice.

A thought of her childhood and how her uncle came in always push her to reflect on God's faithfulness and how much potential every girl child has if supported in education. "If my uncle never took me and send me to school, I would have become destitute upon the demise of my parents, I would not be the Woman I am today. However, as a Christian, I am always convinced that whomsoever God created and put on earth, is living for a purpose." says Aggie. who strongly believe that no human being is a fluke of nature and that It is not God’s intention to see His people suffering from poverty, exclusion, social injustice and oppression. "I believe all these structural barriers that block people from realizing their potential could be removed." she added. Her dream, is to inspire positive and sustainable breakthroughs in the lives of the hardest to reach Malawians, whose voices are hardly heard by policy makers.

In an effort to realize her dream, in 2013,she founded Klesis Education Initiative, a non profit mentorship program, whose main aim is to inspire underprivileged young people around the slums of Malawi to think beyond their physical and economic limitations. At Klesis, which started with only six people but now has over 150 members, she work with young people, mostly in their teens and early twenties, facilitating potential and skills development . She also help the mentees to explore and plan their future. Where possible, she does help very underprivileged mentees to secure scholarships within Malawi and abroad.

Aggie and some of her mentees

All this effort is because of the realization that young people if well nurtured, are strong and powerful agents of change, and that education and skill development are the major tools for curbing social injustice and exclusion, which have heavily hampered development in Malawi. She believes in the possibility of positive change and the power in young people. It does not matter what professional path you take as long as you are educated,there is power to transform you and the world around you.

"We ought to dream BIG! Think beyond our limitations. Every human being, regardless of his or her economic/social background, age, has the ability to become a super power, so long as determination, resilience, passion and patience are cultivated in them. All things are possible to them who believe!!" shares Aggie

NB : This profile is shared for motivational purposes, feel free to use it to motivate young women and girls who you know are still not aware of their potential. If you are looking for mentorship or need more details please contact the blog owner (alibewawo@gmail.com). young women achievers are also welcome to share their profiles and achievements:Are you one or do you know a young woman whose achievements and story will motivate and encourage girls to stay in school? send me an email and the story will be featured here.

#Girlsmustayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

 Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

Visit :  www.amaruphotos.com